it was recognized

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "it was recognized" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something has been noticed or acknowledged. For example: "The hard work of the team was recognized with a round of applause."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was recognized only in Nueva Granada (Colombia and Panama).

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It was recognized as a key part of our response".

The New York Times - Science

"It was recognized quicker, treated quicker and therefore had less chance to spread within teams".

The New York Times

(It was recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club only in the mid-nineties).

The New Yorker

A. Yes, and it was recognized, dealt with in some way.

The New York Times - Science

It was recognized as aesthetically powerful, using cinematic techniques more effectively than most other films.

The New York Times

In 2015 it was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's longest-burning bulb.

The New Yorker

Even then it was recognized that crying in response to drama brought pleasure.

The New York Times

In 1964 it was recognized by the International Federation of Amateur Wrestling.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After federation it was recognized that the states needed to standardize their constitutional structures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was recognized as the "Tablet App of the Year" by the Society of Publication Designers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was recognized" to indicate a widely held understanding or acknowledgment of a fact, concept, or achievement. Ensure the context clearly identifies who did the recognizing, either explicitly or implicitly.

Common error

Avoid using "it was recognized" without a clear indication of who recognized it. If the actor is not evident from the context, specify who made the recognition to prevent ambiguity. For example, instead of "It was recognized that changes were needed", say "The committee recognized that changes were needed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was recognized" functions as a passive construction indicating acknowledgement or acceptance of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It serves to highlight the thing being recognized rather than the actor doing the recognizing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was recognized" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates acknowledgement or acceptance. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is suitable for a range of contexts, from scientific and news reporting to general writing, though it tends toward a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by either explicitly stating or implicitly suggesting who did the recognizing. Alternatives like "it was acknowledged" or "it was understood" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was acknowledged

Replaces "recognized" with "acknowledged", implying a formal acceptance or admission of something.

it was identified

Substitutes "recognized" with "identified", suggesting a process of pinpointing or discovering something specific.

it was understood

Replaces "recognized" with "understood", focusing on comprehension or grasping the meaning of something.

it was realized

Substitutes "recognized" with "realized", indicating a sudden awareness or understanding.

it became clear

Replaces "it was recognized" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the gradual emergence of understanding.

it was accepted

Changes "recognized" to "accepted", suggesting approval or agreement with something.

it was established

Replaces "recognized" with "established", implying that something was confirmed or validated.

it was determined

Substitutes "recognized" with "determined", suggesting a formal decision or conclusion was reached.

it was noticed

Replaces "recognized" with "noticed", implying something was observed or detected.

it was appreciated

Changes "recognized" to "appreciated", highlighting that the value of something was understood.

FAQs

How can I use "it was recognized" in a sentence?

Use "it was recognized" to show that a fact or idea became generally accepted or understood, as in "It was recognized that new strategies were necessary".

What can I say instead of "it was recognized"?

You can use alternatives like "it was acknowledged", "it was understood", or "it became clear" depending on the context.

Is "it was recognized" formal or informal?

"It was recognized" is generally considered neutral to formal in tone and is suitable for academic, professional, and general writing. Its formality depends on the context.

What's the difference between "it was recognized" and "it was discovered"?

"It was recognized" indicates that something previously unknown or unacknowledged became known and accepted. "It was discovered" suggests finding something new or previously hidden.